Jebel Ali Port reports progress in Emiratisation plan

The Director of the Marine Department at Jebel Ali Port, Captain Hassan Al Suwaidi, said, 'Our relentless emphasis on the Emiratisation process, along with lucrative incentives packages and the UAE national's traditional love of the sea, are the driving factors behind the rising number of applications.'

He added that the Marine Department has reported highly encouraging public response to its plan to employ more UAE nationals.

'UAE nationals now represent 30 percent of the 300 employees of the Marine Department, working in all fields of technical and administrative specializations. All our senior posts are now occupied by highly-qualified UAE nationals,' Captain Al Suwaidi said.

He added, 'The Marine Department at Jebel Ali Port has kept pace with the expansion of DP World operations in 52 countries by expanding its own work scope and specialization. It has now developed into a training base in addition to providing maritime services in compliance with international safety standards.'

On the operations front, Jebel Ali Port has recently installed a sophisticated traffic control system to cope with the rise in ship movements.

Captain Al Suwaidi said, 'The advanced electronic Vessel Traffic Control system greatly facilitates the ever-increasing traffic at Jebel Ali Port. The system is approved by the International Marine Organization.'

Jebel Ali Port has reported a 13 to 15 percent increase in its in-port traffic every year, which translates into 1,300 to 1,400 ship movements per month.

The expansion project at Jebel Ali Port consists of two stages. The first stage has already commenced and is scheduled to be operational in early 2007. It is expected to increase storage and handling capacity by 2.2 million TEUs and a Quay length of 1,200m.

Captain Al Suwaidi also listed several other tasks handled by the Marine Department, including technical supervision of the building of tug boats at Dubai Dry Docks by UAE nationals specialized in this field, and the training of specialist task forces to fight marine pollution and fires.